LAWS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

‘We are not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every chance wind of teaching… But we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ the head.’ Ephesians 4:14 (Phillips)
‘Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.’ I Peter 2:1-2 (NIV)
‘Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians.’ 2 Corinthians 13:9 (LB)

MYTHS FACTS
Growth is Automatic It’s A Choice Can be Instant It’s A Gradual Process By Attending Church By Developing Habits Can Be Attained By Yourself You Can’t Grow Without Others Measured by Belief’s Demonstrated By Belief’s and Behavior It’s How You Act At Church It’s How You Act At Home and In The World

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INTENTIONAL…. A CHOICE
We Grow By Making Commitments
Everything In Life Involves A Commitment
Commitments Every Person Needs To Make Conversion
‘except a man be born again, he shall not see the kingdom of God.’ John 3:3 (KJV)
Baptism
‘Those who accepted his message were baptized..’ Acts 2:41 (NIV)
Membership
‘…And the same day there were added unto them 3,000 souls..’ Acts 2:41 (NIV)
Ministry
‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Maturity
‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’ 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INCREMENTAL …. A PROCESS
*The Process: Know Christ…. A Personal Relationship
Love Christ… Worship
Grow In Christ… Discipleship
Serve Christ… Ministry
Share Christ… Evangelism

*It Was: Modeled In Acts 2
‘Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three
thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted
themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer. …. Every day they continued to meet
together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the
favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number those who
were being saved.’ Acts 2:41-42, 46-47 (NIV)

Explained In Ephesians 4 ‘And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
Evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the
Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
Fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and
Fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men
And cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking
The truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,
Even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
Compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the
Effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
Body unto the edifying of itself in love.’ Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)

Prayed For In John 17

Summarized In The Great Commandment & the Great Commission
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love
your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:30-31

‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS PERSONAL…. ACCORDING TO OUR S.H.A.P.E
S. Spiritual Gifts

‘Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be
uninformed.’ I Corinthians 12:1 (TNIV)

‘Each of you has own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.’ I Corinthians 7:7b (TNIV)

‘God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.
God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.
God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it
All. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it,
everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of
people! The variety is wonderful…’ I Corinthians 12:4-7

H. Heart

‘Heart is where you are centered, where you desire to serve, the altar upon which you
wish to place your talents. Giftedness is what you are. Heart is where you will mot likely
apply what you are. Heart refers to empathy, attraction, or “draw” towards a group of
people, a field of expertise, or a particular type of service. Evaluating your heart helps
you determine where you might best use gifts, where you wish to serve and whom you
wish to serve.’ Tom Patterson, Living the Life You Were Meant To Live

The Key:
1. Know What Drives You
2. Know Who You Care About
3. Know The Needs You Will Meet
4. Know The Cause You Will Help Conquer
5. Know Your Ultimate Dream For God’s Kingdom

‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the
Lord Christ you are serving.’ Colossians 3:23-24
Abilities

‘God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.’ Romans 12:6a (NLT)

P. Personality…

‘Like stained glass, our different personalities reflect God’s light in many colors and
Patterns.’ Rick Warren

E. Experiences

‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have
been called according to his purpose.’ Romans 8:28 (NIV)

‘The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if
there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be so wonderful if
there were not dark valleys to traverse.’ Helen Keller

‘Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards’ Unknown